Placenta:Placenta Previa

What is placenta previa and what are the complications?

Placenta Previa

In most pregnancies, the placenta implants itself in the upper portion of the uterus. However, placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants itself over all or some of the cervix. This usually occurs during the second or third trimester. There are different variations of placenta previa.
*Total placenta previa occurs when the placenta completely covers the cervix.
*Partial placenta previa occurs when some of the cervix is covered by the placenta.
*Low-lying placenta previa happens when the placenta implants itself in in the lower area of the uterus, but does not cover the cervix.

An ultrasound examination may find that you have placenta previa. The later that the condition is diagnosed, the less likely that the placenta will move away from the cervix. If your doctor discovers that you have placenta previa, you will be monitored closely and have a series of ultrasounds to see if the placenta is changing positions. Your doctor will advise against sexual intercourse, strenuous exercie and any unecessary lifting. More than likely, you will not have any pelvic examinations for the remainder of your pregnancy either. Women that suffer from placenta previa must have cesarean sections to deliver their baby. In a total placenta previa, the placenta is blocking the baby's way out and the placenta can not be born before the baby is. In a partial placenta previa, the placenta would bleed so much during a vaginal delivery that it is not safe to allow a vaginal delivery.

When your cervix starts to dilate or efface, the blood vessels of the placenta get aggravated. The aggravation causes bleeding. If you begin to bleed, you should notify your doctor immediately. Sometimes the bleeding will stop on its own, but usually it will start again. Sometimes women need to be hospitalized due to the bleeding. If you are bleeding heavily or are close to full-term, your doctor will probably go ahead and delivery you via cesarean delivery. If you are not near full-term, your doctor will make a decision concerning the care of you and your baby according to your particular situation. More than likely, you will receive a shot to help the baby's lungs develop. If the bleeding stops, you will probably be sent home and monitored very closely.

You are more at risk for placenta previa if you had the condition with other pregnancies. Women that are carrying multiples are more likely to develop placenta previa than those carrying single babies. Mothers who have had other children, have had cesarean sections, D&C's, fibroid removal or other types of uterine surgeries are more likely to experience placenta previa as well. Smoking cigarettes and using cocaine also increase your chances of having placenta previa.

LordsBlessingLuvnitRoma -
729 days ago.Well Ladies by the Grace of God, I delivered a healthy baby by a C section at 39 weeks when my water broke and even though my water broke I had no bleeding at all and no contractions as well, Guess I was destined to have a C and I could not have been happier as my recovery was good except for those few days just after the C. I did not have any bleeds throughout even though I was diagnosed in the 20th week. We prayed very hard and yes my Lord Almighty never failed me :)

lolab -
732 days ago.At 12 weeks the doctor told me I had placenta previa. And to wait it out and see if it would move. I was on pelvic rest(no sex). I was so scared. I cried for days. At 19 weeks I woke up to some bleeding and went for and immediate ultrasound. They found that the placenta had moved up and I can plan for a natural delivery. The new doctor I seen told me placenta previa is a 3rd trimester diagnosis and that she didnt believe that women should be told so early in pregnancy because it puts so much pressure on the women. So it you found out early in your pregnancy, don't worry to much(don't worry, is impossible) there is a chance it will move. I'm proof it can!

LordsBlessingLuvnItRoma -
986 days ago.Ok Ladies we found out we are having a baby boy, at the 20th week scan - All went well in the scan except for the fact that doc has diagnosed me with complete placenta previa :(placenta is completely covering the cervix) I am beyond terrified!!!! The good part is that so far I have had no bleeds throughout, but doc has advised for minimum strain and activity (have to avoid bending, lifting, climbing and exercising) Rest will play a key role here, hoping and praying that it moves as I will be having my next scan on 1st August and will be closely monitored from thereon. Will continue to work as my job does not involve too much of exertion and strain... So as for now just taking it 1 day at a time!!! Ladies do keep me in your prayers as I have firm belief that the Lord Alone can change things for the better... Any advice would be so very appreciated!!!!!!!!!

paintedgodess1@verizon.net -
986 days ago.I found out at my obgyn appointment that the sono doc was suppose to tell me I have placenta previa. I am beyond upset not just because the doc did not tell me but b/c I have to have a c section and I am worried for my baby. I have been crying from 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I was induced w/ my son and did not get an epi b/c I did not want a needle in my back. I had a hard labor and would rather go thorough 10x worse than be cut open. My ob was so pissed that the other doc did not tell me. But this explains the pain after sex, and why I can't really feel her move. Sorry this is so long. I am just really scared & upset. (23 weeks)

2babiesforme -
995 days ago.Mine moved on its own - I will be delivering naturally again wooo hoooo! Just wanted to update everyone because from what I understand they usually move! :)

ARB00 -
1043 days ago.Hello fellow Placenta Previa mommy's...I am giving some good vibes to all of you nervous ones. I was in your shoes about 17 weeks ago when I was first told I had complete Placenta Previa during my 20 week ultrasound. My dr. would not do an another ultrasound until 34 weeks so from 20-34 I was anxious to know if my placenta had moved. I am now 37 weeks and still complete placenta previa but have had NO COMPLICATIONS, and anxiously awaiting the arival of my new bundle of joy, which I have a scheduled c-section planned for next Friday...I CAN'T WAIT...

2babiesforme -
1077 days ago.Found out yesterday I have placenta previa - spent day in ER for pain. Baby is fine thankfully! I guess I have to have u/s's regularly now and they hope it moves by birth! It happens to 1 in 200 woman. It can cause some bleeding towards the end of 2nd trimester but so far no bleeding for me. My 1st pregnancy was soooo smooth so this is frustrating to me! Im sure everything will be fine and as long as baby is ok then Im ok!

beegee -
1100 days ago.I had complete placenta previa too, I can't remember what wk I was in. But a few weeks later it resolved itself. You have to remember that everything is going to expand and hopefully move upward. Best of luck to you though. Just remember to take it easy, and let time take its course

CourTney2 -
1100 days ago.Hi, I am new here! I am 13 weeks, this is my second child, and I was diagnosed at 12 weeks with complete placenta previa. I never had any problems with my first pregnancy so this one is very scary to me. We found out I had it by me waking up to go to the bathroom and noticing alot of blood. The ultrasound showed the baby still okay and and doctor put me on bed rest, but I have still had some spotting. I was hoping that someone who has been through this before could give me any info or advice. I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks

babbano4 -
1196 days ago.Hi, I am crrently 21 weeks pregnant with my fourth and final child. I had a low placenta with my first child which had moved by 28 weeks so was able to deliver vaginally - I had no bleeding at all during the pregnancy. My second child I had complete placenta previa with bleeding on and off throughout and was hospitalised at times, the placenta moved at 38 weeks just 2cm clear of my cervix so was allowed to deliver vaginally but was monitored very closely. In my third pregnancy my placenta was high and I was over the moon lol but after delivering my little girl my body retained the placenta and I ended up heamorrhagin and having emergency surgery and a blood transfusion . . . so now I am pregnant with no 4 and been diagnosed with a double lobed placenta that is very low/ velamentous insertion and vasa previa . . I am naturally very worried and was wondering if anyone has had this and what the outcome was???

K1mber *Team Pink* -
1198 days ago.I am 16 weekspregnant today and found out that I have a low lying placenta and my baby is pushing on it. I can't remember if the dr. said I have placenta previa or just a low lying placenta. I have not had any bleeding, but have been feeling a lot of pressure pushing downward. Mu doctor told me not to have sex until further notice and I will be seen every 2 weeks until we see a change. This is scary and new to me. I have 2 daughters 1 was vaginal birth and the other was a c-section (which I read make me at higher rsk for placenta previa). I did not have any complications with either of those pregnancies. If anyone has any advise or is going through the samething, message me. Thanks.

sthe231 -
1208 days ago.When I was 14 weeks pregnant I woke up in a pool of blood, was rushed to hospital coz my thought were this can't be happening. Am I having a miscarriage? The Dr did an ultrasound and discovered that I have a low lying placenta ( complete placenta previa) and was glad that my baby was still alive. They discharged me after a day but I was still bleeding but the Dr emphasize that I get a bed rest for three weeks with my feet lifted with pillows , took some medication I believe it made my bleeding stop. Soon after I finished that medication, the bleeding started again, then I was 15 weeks. This time it looked like old brown blood. I went for a scan to check my baby. The baby is still ok. Yesterday I felt some movements which made me very very happy! I'm thankful that my baby is still well and healthy at 16 weeks even though I still have some blood spots. My Dr told me that, it happens that it corrects itself in a long run, when I don't know. So ladies, let's be strong and try to rest hoping everything will turn out right!!

suzmBLUE! -
1267 days ago.I don't have previa, just low-lying placenta and have been trying to read about it all so I can understand my odds of moving. I am 20 weeks and will be rechecked at 26-28 weeks. I also have had a csection and D&C in the past which our risk factors, and I was curious how those things impacted my overall chances of movement. Ijust found a study pubished early 2009 and thought I would share what I found here In the general population by the 28 week mark only 8% of women still had low placentas... in women who had csections the rate that still had them was 37.5%, and in women who had a both a c-section and D&C - 60% still had the low lying placenta at 28 weeks. ... Interesting overalll. Still a chance of movement. As long as it doesn't cover completely, I think I can mentally handle it. ( : Take care ladies!!

missj25 -
1296 days ago.I am 8 weeks pregnant and have been having light brown spotting. I went to the dr to check it out and he said i have placenta previa with a clot. Has anyone been diagnosed this early (8weeks)? Had spotting? did it turn out okay? thank you. I am very worried

MP22 -
1329 days ago.I just want to leave some words of encouragement for everyone.. I was diagnosed with a complete placenta previa at my 20 week u/s. I'm now 29 weeks and after pelvic rest, full restrictions and multiple, very stressful trips to my doc, the OB-GYN and finally a Perinatologist - I'm finally in the clear. I was told I would have to have a premature baby, a classical c-section and possibly no more babies. After meeting with the peri, the u/s specialist noticed something and they decided to do a trans-vaginal u/s, which showed that the complete previa was really an optical illusion. They couldn't get a good angle on the external u/s because of how the placenta was positioned. It is now only marginal. He said he fully believes that it will migrate up enough by delivery to be able to have a normal vaginal delivery. -- The last 9 weeks have been hell and I feel for anyone going through this situation, but have faith because things can and do change for the better!!!!!!!!!!

akshikabhagat -
1342 days ago.hello everyone,
i just want to know how many people had posterior placenta previa and in how many cases, it cured by itself.......my doc is suggesting delivery immediately after 37 weeks. is it good or should i wait little longer?
akshika

jjjenny -
1409 days ago.When I read this description of Placenta Previa it makes me so mad. Mad because my sister had it and was diagnosed at 32 weeks and rather than be hospitalised she was sent home. Even after spotting blood. Then the day after bad spotting and bleeding and being sent home....at 35 weeks went into labour and rather than call for the doctor a midwife clearly out of depth of expertise insisted my sister deliver Vaginal birth. Which she did but it was a complicated birth that left my sister in such a bad way. Not only was it tramatic but she bleed, it was painful and my poor little nieces head was so badly bruised. Just should have not been the case. ANd i am just find out now, she should have been sent to a prem-ward because her lungs developed Pheomonia! ..... luckily 8 months on and everything is okay, but still - so mad with the midwife!!!

Cristin85 -
1415 days ago.I was told at my 22 week ultra sound that I had placenta previa. I was but on pelvic rest and was told that I woul have another ultra sound around 26-28 weeks. I just had my 28 week ultra sound and my NP called me and told me that I have complete Placenta Previa. She advised that on my next Dr. appoinment in 2 weeks we will plan for a scheduled C-section. I am a little scared... I have not had any bleeding; however I have had pressure in my pelvic area that does not feel normal..... I am considering asking my dr if they can put me on best rest... what does anybody think?
My dr. also called and told me that at about 35 weeks they want me to have another ultra sound... can my placenta still move away from the cervix?

summer-mom -
1433 days ago.at 20 weeks I was diagnosed with a partial previa. I just had my 28 week scan one week ago and the placenta is clear of the cervix by only 1cm. My Dr said that the placenta needs to be at least 5cm away to be considered safe. Has anyone elses Dr said how far is 'safe?'

2b -
1516 days ago.Just told yesterday I have a low lying placenta. Just checking here to see what your experiences were.

lease_1999@yahoo.com -
1582 days ago.I had a low lying placenta with my last child, but thankfully apart from an irritable uterus, I didn't have any other trouble with it & by 30 weeks it was well clear of the cervix.
This pregnancy, I had a gush of fluid/mucus & old blood just before 12 weeks, which was thought to be my waters, but thankfully wasn't!
I had a scan done a couple of days ago, & I once more have Placenta Previa, except this time I believe it's actually touching the cervix, v's last time where it wasn't.
I am hoping that this time will be the same as the last & that the placenta will move clear by the time of delivery.

Rachelle2010 -
1618 days ago.On Sept. 24 i had an ultrasound and it showed that my partial placenta previa became a complete placenta previa. I'm scared now that I'm going to be having my son 4 weeks early, I'm not scared of the c-section because I've already had 2 of them. I'm scared about having my baby 4 weeks early. So on Nov. 17 my son will be making his way in to this world and I'm hopping he will be strong enough.

amy79 -
1631 days ago.at 9 weeks I've been told I have placenta previa but the doc doesn't seem concerned at all. she said most of the time it rights itself before you actually give birth. So I'm hoping since they found it so early there's enough time for things to fix itself. Till then, no sex, no heavy lifting, no exercise.

mom2lots -
1645 days ago.I also have Vasa previa and incompetent cervix with a cerclage. I have been trying to find information about the 2 when together. I know that my doctor wants me to move closer to the city at 24 weeks, but I have no idea as to how long ect til hospitalized. I see my OB again when I am 23 weeks and hope for some answers. I have had preemies at 29 weeks due to PROM, so I am worried from what I have read.

oneluvx2 -
1653 days ago.does anyone have vasa previa?? i just found out today and was told i will have a c section at 35 weeks.....